New Focus RS production is underway

The 350-hp RS is launching in the U.S. this year

January 15, 2016

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Ford Motor Co.’s new Focus RS is rolling off the production line in Saarlouis, Germany; the car is available at U.S. dealerships this spring, joining the Focus ST and Fiesta ST as hot hatches available here. The 350-hp RS is one of three new Ford performance models launching in the U.S. this year, along with the F-150 Raptor and Ford GT coming this fall.

The RS’ 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine (we bet that 315 hp is conservative) is good enough to haul the thing to 62 mph in 4.7 seconds making it the fastest-accelerating Ford RS ever. We’re driving it soon, but meantime we’re thinking the all-wheel drive with torque vectoring should be good for great grip and high cornering speeds. Can’t wait to drive Drift Mode! Ken Block, our recent Car Culture award winner helped develop the car, so it should be a hoot.

MSRP

$17,225

MPG

26 / 36

Wes Raynal
- Wes Raynal joined Crain Communications’ circulation department while still in college. When he graduated in 1986, he became a reporter for Autoweek sister publication Automotive News. He has worked as Autoweek’s associate editor, news editor, motorsports editor and executive editor before being named editor in 2009.
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